Firefighters from US, South Africa to arrive in Alberta

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Officials say about 1,000 additional fire crews from across Canada, the United States and South Africa will be joining the fight this week against a massive wildfire near Fort McMurray.

Alberta wildlife official Chad Morrison said Tuesday the blaze continues to move northeast away from communities and oil sands facilities in northern Alberta.

He says cooler temperatures have aided the fire fight.

The fire has grown to about 5,230 square kilometers (2019 square miles), with 25 square kilometers (9.65 square miles) spreading into Saskatchewan. That includes areas already burned and currently burning.

Work camps that were evacuated are being inspected for re-opening, and oil sands companies are looking at when they can resume operations.

A phased re-entry for about 80,000 evacuated Fort McMurray residents is still set to begin on June 1, if conditions are safe.